The Pittsburgh Steelers have been conducting exit interviews with players this week after a roller coaster ride in 2022. The Steelers started slowly, lost their defensive leader in TJ Watt and then closed the season strong, falling just short of the AFC playoffs. When Jason Sanders of the Miami Dolphins knocked a 50-yard field goal through to send his team to the playoffs, the Steelers were on the outside looking in.
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 29: Matt Canada of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during training camp at Heinz Field on July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
The moment the Steelers were eliminated, one question became the most important thing to Steeler Nation. How quickly is Matt Canada going to be fired and who is going to replace him? Ray Fittipaldo who covers the black and gold for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette joined the PM Team w/Poni & Mueller to discuss Canada surviving day four of the offseason.
“Listen, it has been quiet, based off what Mike said on Monday, I thought it would be quiet,” Fittipaldo reassured Andrew Fillipponi. “He said he is going to talk to the players first, then get around to the coaches after he was done with that. If it’s next Wednesday or Thursday, he is probably going to come back. The longer it goes on the more likely he comes back, but I’m not surprised about the timeline."
Andrew Fillipponi and his cohost Chris Mueller reminded Fittipaldo that the last time the Steelers made a coordinator change, Mike Tomlin had similar sentiments about Randy Fichtner in 2020 and then fired him the next day.
“Sometimes these things just unfold in different manners,” Fittipaldo continued. "There could have been something that unfolded that he just didn’t like. Whatever it was, maybe Mike had a strong feeling about it. If it’s the middle of next week, I’m not going to talk you off the ledge, but just sit tight for now."
Aug 18, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) and quarterback coach Randy Fichtner (right) talk on the field before playing the Philadelphia Eagles at Heinz Field / Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mueller then asked the veteran insider if he thought the delay was because Canada enjoyed pockets of support among the coaching staff and the players. He also followed up and asked where that support might be coming from inside the organization.
"Most certainly among the coaching staff, a lot of those guys have a connection to Matt Canada,” Fittipaldo said about the offensive staff. “Frisman Jackson, Eddie Faulkner and even Pat Meyer have connections to Matt in some shape or form. I think as the season went on, winning cures a lot. People got on board when they saw they could win with that type of offense. If he (Tomlin) is truly going to look at the totality, you got the player saying we didn’t have an identity early in the season and you were 2-6. That counts."
The Steelers’ position coaches’ opinions will not dictate what Tomlin does or does not do but their input won’t be ignored either. Pat Meyer's input in particular, who did a masterful job with the offensive line this season should be highly valued. The group had issues early in the season, but the young players gelled into an effective unit. The four-game win streak to close the season saw that group establish itself as a formidable run-blocking unit. It isn’t a finished product, but it is light years better from where it started.
Pittsburgh has an important decision to make. The defense of Canada seems centered on how they closed the season and Kenny Pickett’s continued development by keeping continuity. In general, continuity on the coaching staff is good, but not when it is a substandard product. The offense as a whole is substandard, with collegiate schemes and bizarre personnel groupings.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett throws to RB Najee Harris at Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, January 1st, 2023 / Photo Credit: Abigail Dean/ Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are a premiere destination and Pickett and his band of offensive weapons are a coordinator’s dream. They finished near the bottom of the league in scoring offense and the red zone was an issue all season long. Those problems aren’t going to be solved with one more year of continuity.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Do you think that Matt Canada will be calling plays next season? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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